Designing the Future of Transit
One of my favorite sessions at TransportationCamp West was the design brainstorm facilitated by Shawn Allen of Stamen Design and OpenPlans’ very own Jeff Maki.
Jeff kicked things off by introducing our “Beyond the Countdown Clock” competition—an effort to get folks thinking outside-the-box when communicating information to transit users. Quickly we were off and going in many different directions of future-transit awesomeness. Some of the highlights:
Ditch (some of) the maps: You already know where you’re going, and your bus knows its route (on a good day). And, not everyone has the same type of spatial literacy.
In many cases transit options are about navigating structured networks, sometimes very much removed from the geography of the city. Helping people understand those structures doesn’t necessarily require giving them a map. And for folks that think better in terms of lists and steps, a map might be confusing.
Seat/bike rack availability: Who cares when the bus will arrive if it’s already full! Waiting riders need to know if there’s space, especially on bike racks.
1-bit interfaces: Simple decisions—do I walk or wait for the bus?—require simple answers. Is it possible to provide yes/no feedback tailored to specific riders’ needs?
One example: a go/wait signal for bikers about to climb a big hill. Will they be better off charging it or waiting for the bus? A “keep-going flag” pops up on the bus stop when it’s best to keep moving.
Flâneur: Can transit encourage exploration, adventure and other forms of play? A few examples.
An eject button for your bus: What happens when your train breaks down? Or your bus is stuck in traffic? Assuming you’re already en-route, perhaps in unfamiliar territory, what information do you need to reassess your options?
Cartograms: Could they work for expressing time/distance along different routes?
Low-tech solutions: Lost? Chances are someone on your bus can help faster than a smartphone. How do we overcome social-inhibitions in asking for help? Suggestion: a button/marketing campaign “Ask me about this bus/train!” to help change the culture of transit riders.
